Microplastics and chemical additives from virgin and recycled Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging material: Leachability, toxicity, and behavioural aspects

Eligibility: UK/International (including EU) graduates with the required entry requirements

Duration: Full-Time – between three and three and a half years fixed term

Application deadline: 27 May 2026

Interview date: Will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates

Start date: September 2026

For further details contact: Associate Professor Anna Bogush

Introduction

This PhD project is part of the Cotutelle arrangement between Coventry University, UK and Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. The supervision team will be drawn from the two universities.

Plastic pollution, particularly microplastics (MPs), has emerged as a global environmental and public health concern. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), widely used in bottled water packaging, has been identified as a major source of MPs in bottled drinking water. The presence of MPs in bottled water raises concerns about direct human exposure through daily consumption. With increasing emphasis on circular economy strategies, there is a growing shift from virgin PET (vPET) to recycled PET (rPET). However, concerns have been raised regarding the safety of rPET due to potential contamination and material degradation during recycling processes, which may increase the release of MPs and associated chemical additives. Despite widespread adoption, there remains a significant knowledge gap regarding the comparative release of contaminants from vPET and rPET and their associated risks.

This project addresses these critical gaps by integrating environmental analysis, toxicology, and social science approaches to better understand both the risks and public perception of PET-based packaging.

Project details

This interdisciplinary project is organised into three interlinked Work Packages (WPs), which will combine laboratory experiments and social study.

WP 1: Comparative analysis of leachability of MPs and chemical additives from vPET and rPET. (year 1 at Coventry University, UK)

WP2: Investigate the toxicity of MPs and chemical additives on human health. (year 2 at Deakin University, Australia)

WP3: Social study to understand consumers’ perceptions of risks associated with vPET and rPET packaging. (year 3 at Coventry University, UK).

Funding

Tuition fees and stipend

Studentships include one return economy airfare to GITAM/Coventry University, visa and overseas healthcare to cover the mobility period.

Benefits

The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills. All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral and Researcher College, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.

This is an exciting opportunity to study a PhD as part of a cotutelle arrangement between Coventry University, UK and Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. The PhD Student will graduate with two PhDs, one from Deakin University and one from Coventry University, each of which recognises that the program was carried out as part of a jointly supervised doctoral program.

Candidate specification

Applicants must meet the admission and scholarship criteria for both Coventry University and Deakin University for entry to the cotutelle programme.

Applicants should have graduated within the top 15% of their undergraduate cohort. This might include a high 2:1 in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 70% mark (80% for Australian graduates) in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 70% overall module average (80% for Australian graduates).
A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field requiring at least four years of full-time study, and which normally includes a research component which is equivalent to at least 25% of a year’s full-time study in the fourth year, with achievement of a grade for the project equivalent to a H1 standard or 80%.

a Masters degree, with a significant research component, in a relevant subject area, with overall mark at minimum Distinction.
In addition, the mark for the Masters thesis (or equivalent) must be a minimum of 80%.
Please note that where a candidate has 70-79% and can provide evidence of research experience to meet equivalency to the minimum first-class honours equivalent (80%+) additional evidence can be submitted and may include independently peer-reviewed publications, research-related awards or prizes and/or professional reports.
Language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).

The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a prescribed period of study.

Additional Requirments

MSc/BSc in chemistry/Environmental chemistry
Experience in laboratory work and instrumental analysis (e.g., FTIR, Raman, LC-MS, GC-MS)
Strong interest in interdisciplinary research
Knowledge of statistics and data analysis
Ability to work independently and in a team
Effective time management and organisation skill

How to apply

To find out more about the project, please contact Associate Professor Anna Bogush

All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus a 2000-word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.

Apply to Coventry University